Robert l



R. L. WILBURN.

. NEEDLE CASE. NO. 437,543.

Patented Sept. 30, 1890.

their respective compartments.

UNITED STAT S PATENT OFF CE.

ROBERT L. WILBURN, or MEXICO, MISSOURI.

NEEDLE-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 437,543, dated September 30, 1890.

' Application filed July 22, 1889. fierial No. 318,262. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT L. WILBURN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mexico, in the county of Audrain and State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful Case for Needles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to cases for needle, and among the objects in' view are to provide a neat and convenient case divided into compartments for the reception of needles of different degrees of coarseness and to provide means for retaining the needles in With these general objects in view the invention consists in the improvements hereinafter described and claimed.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of a needle-case constructed in accordance with my invention, the top being in a locked position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the opening in the top registering with one of the chambers of the compartments. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section, and Fig. 5 is a detail of the disk or locking-plate.

Like numerals indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I prefer to form the casing l of wood and of cylindrical form; but I do not limit my invention in regard to shape and material. At intervals are formed cylindrical compartments 2, said compartments being arranged longitudinal of the case and concentric with its diameter. A screwopening 3 is formed in the center of the case, and over the opening is mounted a disk 5, having a central perforation 6, through which is passed a pivot-screw 7, which takes into the central opening in the end of the case. The outer edge of the disk is milled to facilitate rotating of the same, and said disk is f urther provided with an opening 8, adapted to be thrown into register with either one of the series ofconcentrically arranged compartments.

In one of the compartments is mounted a coiled spring 9, and above the same a bolt 10,

the upper end of which is reduced to form an' annular shoulder a, adapted to strike the lower face of the disk, and the upper reduced end is rounded and adapted to project above the plane of the disk and through the opening therein, and thereby lock the disk against rotation and against an uncovering of any of the needle-receiving compartments. By depressing the bolt the disk may be readily rotated to bring its opening in line with any one of the needle-receiving compartments and permit of the emptying of that compartment for the purpose of selecting a needle. Each compartment is designed to receive a number of needles, and those needles of one compart ment differ in coarseness with those of the others, their grade being preferably indicated by means of numerals or other indicating mediums stamped upon the wall of the casing opposite the opening, the numerals ranging in this instance from 0 to 5, the former indicating that compartment in which is located the spring-bolt.

In operation the rounded head of the bolt is depressed by the finger and the disk 5 turned so that it passes over said head. It is then further turned to a point where its opening 8 registers with the opening containing the size of needle desired, and the whole casing is inverted, when the needles will drop out, and one may be selected and the balance returned, the casing returned to its original position, and the disk being then turned so as to again engage the bolt in the hole 8. The fiat under face of the disk offers no obstacle to its rotation and does not catch on the heads of the needles.

If desired, any suitable case may be provided for the case; but in this instance I simply form a bead 11 around the lower edge thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a needle-case, the combination, with the casing having a series of compartments and a pivoted disk having a hole adapted to be brought into alignment with any one of said compartments, of a spring-actuated bolt in one of said compartments to engage the hole of the disk, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a needle-case, the combination, with the casing having a concentric series of com partments and a fiat disk centrally pivoted within said series and having a single hole adapted to be brought into alignment with any one of said compartments, of the expansion-spring seated in one of said compartments, the bolt 10, pressed upwardly by said spring, said bolt having a reduced rounded head adapted to fit within and pass through the hole in the disk, and an enlarged shoulder below said head, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a needle-case, the combination, with the casing having a concentric series of tubular compartments, a fiat diskmounted upon the upper end of said casing over said com-o partments and extending to the edge of the i casing, its periphery being milled, said disks having a single hole adapted to be brought into alignment with any one of the compartments, the hole being of less diameter than the compartments, and a central removable screw forming the pivot for said disk, of the spring seated in one of the compartments, the bolt pressed upwardly by said spring, its upper end having a shoulder bearing against the under side of said disk around the hole therein, and a head passing through and fitting in said hole and having a rounded extremity, whereby the bolt can be depressed by bearing thereon and the disk then rotated, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses. ROBERT L. WILBURN.

Witnesses: I

P. E. LOOKE, J. A. HEADINGro-N. 

